Door latch structure



Oct. 20, 1953 I GT'JANoNls DooR LATCH STRUCTURE Filed April 2, 1951 n 2 sheets-sheet 1 Oct. 20, 17953 G. JANoNls DooR LATCH STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'iled April 2, 1951 INVENTOR. afofaf ./A//o/f/s Patented Oct. 20, v`1953 UNITED .ifi

T l OFFICE Claims.

l This invention relates generally to latch assemblies and refers more particularly to improvements in latch mechanisms of the pivoted or rotary bolt type.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a latch mechanism having a rotary bolt and having means for releasing the bolt from its latched position in response to movement of a control in the direction of opening movement of the closure member in connection with which the latch is associated.

It is another object of this invention to provide a latch mechanism having manually operable controls at opposite sides of the closure movable in the general direction of opening movement of the closure to release the bolt from its latched position. With a construction of the above type, it is possible to provide an inside control in the form of a push button arranged llush or substantially ilush with the inner panel of the closure. This feature is desirable especially in vehicle body doors, since it renders it possible to omit the usual door handles at the inner sides of the doors, and thereby not only improves the appearance Iof the interior of the body, but in addition, simplifes'releasing of the latch from the interior of the vehicle.

It is still another object of this invention to provide latch mechanism of the above type having means for locking the bolt in its latched position and having controls accessible for manipulation from either side of the closure for operating the locking means.

It is a further object of this invention to pro-` vide latch mechanism embodying the above features and composed of a relatively few simple parts capable of being inexpensively manufac` tured and installed.

It isa still further object of this invention to provide a keeper for the rotary bolt constructed to serve as a dovetail member.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

vFigure .l is a diagrammatic side elevational View of a part of a vehicle body having a door with latch mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the 3 3 of Figurel;

, Figure `4 Vis a sectional ril-4 of Figure 2;;

line

View taken .on the line 2 Figure 5 is a sectional VView taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 2; Y

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a sectional View taken on the line '-'I of Figure 2;

Figures 8 and 9 are respectively perspectivev views of parts of the outside control for the latch;

and.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line IIl--III of Figure 4.

It will be understood as this description proceeds that many of the features of the latch mechanism forming the subject matter of the present invention may be incorporated in latches for various different types of closures. For example the latch mechanism to be presently'described may be advantageously used with slight Variations in connection with vehicle hoods or rear deck lids. However the invention finds particular utility when employed in association with vehicle body doors, and is shown herein as applied to a typical body door I0.

Brieily the door I0 comprises an outer panel II, an inner panel I2 spaced laterally from the outer panel and connected to the peripheral edge of the latter by a ange I3 formed integral with the inner panel I2. In the present instance the door Il) is hinged at its front edge I4 (Figure l), and the rear or swinging edge assumes a position adjacent a conventional body pillar I5 in the closed position of the door.

The door is held in its closed position by latch mechanism designated generally by the numeral I6 in the several figures of the drawings. The latch mechanism I6 has a supporting plate or bracket II which is secured to the rear edge flange I3 'of the door, and is housed in the space I8 between the inner and outer door panels. As shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, the central portion of the bracket I'I is bent laterally forwardly to provide a channel I9 which is open rearwardly of the door and registers with :a slot 20 formed in the rear edge flange I3 of the door.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, it willvbe noted that a bolt 2| of the rotary typel is supported in the channel I9of the bracket I'I for pivotal movement about a vertical pin 22. The pin 22 extends verticallythrough aligned openings in the flanges of the channel I9, and is secured in place in any suitable manner.

The bolt 2l is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings in two positions. The solid lines of the bolt in Figure 4 represent the latched position, and the broken lines indicate the unlatched position.

It will be noted that the bolt has two projections 24 and 25 spaced from each other angularly about the aXis of the pin 22. The bolt projections extend rearwardly through the slot in the rear edge of the door and coact with a keeper 26 which is secured to the body pillar I5 in registration with the bolt 2 I. The keeper 25 has a locking face 21 at the end facing the inner side of the door and has an abutment face 23 at the end facing the outer side of the door. The distance between the locking facel2| and theabutment face 28 isfpredetermined with respect to the distance between the angular-ly spaced projections 24 and 25 on the bolt 2| in order to operate the bolt.

The bolt 2| is normally urged to its -unlatchedposition shown by the broken lines in Figure 4, and this is accomplished by a spring 125 wound around the pin 22 at one sidenf athe .bolt. @ne end of the spring 23 engages the outer edge of the bolt, and the other end of the spring at-buts.

i dicated by the solid lines in Figure .4, .and the bolt is ,held `-this position .by .a .block 3.0 supported in the channel ,I9 of the bracket .I-.l ,at the outer side of the bolt 2l. The block .3.0 ,is slidable in the channel .I-9 in directions toward and ,away from .the bolt .2 I., vand ,is -yieldably urged toward .the .bolt ,2| .by `a .coi-l spring 32|. The .coil spring A3l .is .positioned .inthe channel le at the outer side .of .the block irl `a .manner. such .that the opposite Lends thereof lespectively .engage the block .3.0 and a part'32 .of `the .bracket Il. The oo il Snringisheld in place .by a pin 33 secured to the block 30 and extending axially Ythrough `the Coil Spring .3L The `part .32 .-isapertured to .provide glearanceinr .the outer endof the .pin 33 .durine Sliding movement oi .the .block 3.0..

.The loloolfr 3.0 is .held in position by :a pin 34 extending .transversely of the channel le .ausprojectng through `a ,slot 35 in .the block 30. The slot .35 is elongated the direction .of .sliding movement of the block so as .not to interfere with the operation of the blocjk.

Referring Lagain to Figure el, it .will be seen that when the bolt .2l vis its latohed positionthe projection 25 on the -holt extends into the chan; nel i9 and the outer Surface of the `iorm'eotion 25 is positioned V`for engagement yby .the .inner end .of the vblock 33. 'Ilhe outer surface of the projection 25 is fashioned with .a plurality of serrations 36, ,and the inner .end of the block 35 is formed with corresponding Serrations .31.. .The -serrations 36 and 31 .are arranged to successively mesh with one another as the bolt .2l is rotated to its latched position.v The Serrations are held .in intermeshing relationship 'by the spring 3l .and movement of the bolt 2.! to its unlatojhed position is accordingly prevented until the .block'l is retracted from the bolt againstthe .action of the spring 3l. It may 'be pointed .out at thisrtiineV that the bolt is effectively. .held by. .theblock -as soon as Vthe rst Serrations intermesnso that in eieet a safety catch is provided.

The block Samay be released .from thegboitzl by. manipulating either the inside or outsidezcont.

trols 38 and 39 respectively. As shown particularly in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, a slide 40 is mounted on the bracket I I at the base of the channel I9 for sliding movement in opposite directions between the inner and outer door panels.

The slide 40 is held in assembled relationship to the bracket by a strap 4I suitably secured to the bracket I1. The outer end of the slide 40 is formed with a slot 42, and the adjacent portion of the base of the v.channel IShas a registering slot .43. Ajpn 44 is anchored ito the block 30 and projects through the registering slots 42 and 43 for engagement by a projection 45 formed on 'the 'slide 40 at the inner side of the pin 44. The arnrangement.iis such that outward sliding movement of the slide 40 engages the projection 45 `with the pin 44 and moves the block 30 out of locking .engagement with the projection 25 on `the bolt 2 I.

".Ilhe'inside control 38 is connected to the slide by an inverted U-shaped rod 45 having the base ,portion pivotally Yanoiimaed zon 'the inner door panel v'.I2 -in the .rmanner indicated .by -the referencefnumeral/A'Iin'flguret ofthe drawings. 4.One

leg 48 of the rod is positioned at `the inner .side .of

a flange :43 which -prmeots laterally #from the innerrend -of the slidef40 so :that rocking movement -.of -the rod .46 :in ia direction outwardly of the door :engages :fthe .fleg 14B with the iiange 49 andfmoves theslide 4D outwardly toin turn move the :blockll out -of vengagement with the bolt 2 I. As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the ange 49 .on theslide'll is yieldably urged into engagement with Ythe-.leg A8 by the spring 3I acting on the block 3|).

.The .leg `5|'I ofzthe .rod .-46 is shown in Figure 6 .of the drawings as bent laterally .inwardly to project `.th-rough-.-an .opening 5I formed in the trim.pane1.52 -atftheinner .side of the door. The inwardly bent .portion of the -leg 50 provides .a mounting for .the control r38,1vvhich is Vin the form of a push button. Asuitable guard .ring I5-3 is secured to the inner side-of the trim panel 52 and surrounds vthe control 38 y.to protect the latter against accidental movement.

It follows from :theabove that movement of the control 33 in Athe direction tof :opening movement of the door I0 rotates .the .bar 46 ina direction to move the leg IIB-in lan .outward direction relative tothe door. Since .the leg 48 is engaged by .the slide 4.0., the latter .is moved outwardly relative 'tothe-bracket I1. `pointed out above the slide 4l) isconnected tothe block 30 through lthe medium of the pin 44 andoutw-ard movement oi n the slide 40 imparts acorresponding sliding movement to Ythe .block .30. Outward movement of the blockll a distance greaterthan .thedepth ofthe serrations 36,31. releases the bolt 2 I Yandperrnits the spring 29 to rotate the bolt to its unlatched position.

' It has been .stated above that the bolt 2| is also released by manipulation of the control39 at the outer side of ,theldoon As shown particularly in Figure 2 of the drawings, a lever 55 has the lowerV endthereof pivoted by a. pin 56 tothe bracket II at a point below the slide 40. The lever is bent to extend over the slide 40, and to engage the inner sideof the. projection 45 on the slide 40.' The upper. end of the lever 55 is pivoted to the inner end of an arm 5l. andthe outer endof the arm projects through a slot 58 in the outer panel I I of the door for connection to the Qontrol 39.-

The control 39 has a base part 59 and a handle Part 60. Thebase-part is secured to the outer aezsaaoev panel II of the door, and hasfa` slot 8| in registration with the slot 58 for receiving the'outer end of the arm'51.- Injaddition the base 59 has an annular outwardly extending bearing flange 52, and has laterally spaced outwardly extending iianges E3 extending generally diametrically across the same. 1

lThev handle part 60 has a centralportion 64 shaped for convenient engagement by one hand of the operatorand has an annular portion 55 arranged in bearing contact with the annular portion 52 of the base 58."` The'annular portion 55 has a dialnetrically extending rib 56 shown in Figure 3 of the drawings as integrally connected to the portion 54 by laterally spaced flanges 61. The fianges 51 are spaced laterally from opposite sides 58 of the portion 64, and the resulting spaces slidably receive the iianges 53 on the base 59. Attention is called to the fact that the outer edges -of the flanges 63 are arcuate, or in other wordsare formed on a radius The arrangement issuchthat the handle part 60 may be tiltedfinan outward and downward direction relative4 tothe base 55. This'action' enables manipulation of the control 59 witha minimum amount of effort on the part of the operator.

In order to transmit movement of the handle part 60 to the arm 51 the outer end of the arm has a T-shaped section providing opposed slots 1I. rl'.he rib '66 haswan elongated slotg12 Which-extends in a direction normal to lthehead portion of the T'shaped end of the arm 51, and this slot is of sufcient length to freely receive the T-shaped head during assembly. It will be understood that during assembly, the part 60 of the control is rotated to a position wherein the T- shaped head may be projected through the slot 12. Upon completion of this operation the part 60 is rotated 90" in order to locate the T-shaped head 10 crosswise of the slot 12 as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The part 50 is then moved inwardly relative to the base part 59 and the annular portion 65 on the part 6|] is seated on the bearing flange 52 on the base part 59. The handle part 60 and base part 59 are held in assembled relationship by a coil spring 12 surrounding the arm 51. The outer end of the coil spring abuts the inner side of the outer door panel I I and the inner end of the coil spring engages a suitable stop 'i3 on the arm 51.

The above construction is such that outward movement of the handle part 50 on the control 3Q displaces the arm 51 in a corresponding direction against the action of the spring 12. Outward movement of the arm 51 engages the lever 55 with the projection `45 on the slide 40 and moves the latter outwardly. Movement of the slide 48 in an outward direction imparts a corresponding movement to the block 35 through the pin 44, and disengages the block from the rotary bolt 2|.

In accordance with this invention provision is made for blocking movement of the slide 40 to its bolt releasing position, and this action may be accomplished from either side of the door. As shown in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings, a vertical rod is slidably supported as at i5 on the bracket l1. The upper end of the rod extends through an opening in the window ledge of the door, and has a control knob 11 thereon. A portion 18 of the rod below the bracket mounting 15 is offset laterally outwardly for a limited distance, and this offset portion provides a shoulder 18 on the rod which assumes a position in advance of the flange 49 on the slide when the rod 15 is depressed to its lowermost position.

Thus movement of the slide 48 by either the inside control 38 or the outside control 39 to release the bolt 2| is prevented by the rod 15 when the latter is moved to its lowermost position,

d Referring again to Figure 2 of the drawings it will be noted that the lower end 88 of the rod portion 18 is offset laterally outwardly and is secured to the swinging end of a lever 8 I. The lever 8i is secured to a shaft`82 which extends trans-l versely of the door, and is rotatably supported at the inner end in apart 83 of the bracket I1. The outer end of the shaft 82 is connected tto a key operated cylinder mounted on the outer door. panel II in the usual manner. As shown in Figure '1 of the drawings, the cylinder 8d has axially extending projections 85 positioned for alternative engagement with a'pin 8B projecting laterally from the shaft 82. The arrangement is such that when the cylinder 84 is rotated by the key in a counterclockwise direction, the pin 85 is engaged by one of the projections 85 to rotate the shaft 82 in a corresponding direction until the pin 85 engages a stop 81 on the cylinder casing 88. On the other hand when the cylinder 84 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the other projection 85 engages the pin 86 and rotates the shaft 82 throughout an angular distance of travel determined by a second stop 89 on the cylinder casing 88.

' When the shaft 82 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the rod '.'5 is moved downwardly by the lever 8i to position the part'18 of the rod in blocking relationship to the slide 40. On the other hand when the shaft 82 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the rod 15 is raised by the lever 8i to locate the blocking part 18 of the rod above the path of travel of the bolt releasing slide 45 so as not to interfere with the action of this slide.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the inside control 38 and outside control 39 are moved in the general direction of opening movement of the door in order to release the latch bolt 2I. Thus the effort required to effect release of the latch bolt 2| is reduced to a minimum. and the inside control may be located substantially flush with the trim panel of the door. As a result the inside latch control 38 is out of the way and does not interfere with the occupants of the vehicle body.

As shown in Figure 10 of the drawings the keeper 26 has top and bottom flanges 85 at opposite sides of the bolt engaging part of the keeper. These flanges coact with the bolt 2l in the latched position of the latter to provide an effective dovetail.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. Door latch mechanism comprising a support plate formed of sheet metal bent to provide a longitudinally extending channel having side and bottom walls, an end closure for said channel having a hole therein, said plate being secured to the inner surface of an edge ange of a door, said flange having an opening therethrough in registry with said channel, a pivot pin spanning the side walls lof said channel, a rotary latch bolt in said channel rotatably mounted on said pin and having portions extending through said opening, a block in said channel between said end closure and said bolt, a pin extending from said block and passing through the hole in said end closure, a spring surrounding said pin, interlocking serrations on said block and said bolt, the bottom wall of said channel having a slot therein, and an actuating pin on said block extending throughsaid slotforactuation by manually oper-` -atedlatchrelease means.

. 2.l 'Door latch .mechanism as .deiinedinv claim 1 in which said ilolock is provided with a transverse .opening elongated 'in the direction of the channel, and a pin is provided in said opening extending therethrough and having its ends -ear ried-by the opposite side walls of the channel, said pin 'and elongated opening being located to retain the serrated face of the block in position to be engaged by the serrations on saidbloclc When the door is -swung toclosed position.

3, In latch mechanism of the class described, a mounting .plate formed to provide an elongated channel having side and -lbottom walls, an end wall closing vone end of said channel, a latch bolt in the form of a lever having angularly disposed latching and actuating arms, pivot -means ex-V tending between the sides of said channel mounting said latch bolt for pivotal movement, a block slidablen said channel, a pin and elon-g gated slot connection between said block and channel side walls, the end wall of said channel having a hole therein, a pin extending from said block through said hole, a compression spring surrounding said pin and bearing against said block to urge it toward said pivot means, one of said channel bottom and side walls having an elongated slot, a latch release pin on said block extending through said slot, and interlocking surfaces on the end of the actuating a-rm of said boltandthe end of said block adjacent said bolt to` lock said 4arm in latching `position when engaged by saidblock. y

4. LatchV mechanism as dened in claim 3 comprising a latch release member, means mounting said member for sliding movement on the outer surface `of the bottom wall of said channel, and an abutment on said member engageable with said latch release pin for moving it to move said block in latch -release direction against said spring.

5. Latch mechanism as defined in claim 3, said plate having earsv for mounting it on the inside surface of the edge closure of a hollow support with the open side of its channel in registration with a slot in the edge closure.

GEORGE JANONIS.

References Citedin the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 307,281 Farrar Oct. 28, 1884 448,298 LeCeilir Mar. 17, 1891 1,563,489 Hoopaw Dec. 1, 1925 1,754,889 Hlinka Api'. 15, 1930 2,094,413 Schonitzer Sept. 28, 1937 2,146,379 Rediger Feb. 7, 1939 2,246,785 Dali June 24, 1941 2,362,256 ndter Nov. 7, 1944 2,376,992 Endtel' May 29, 1945 2,381,633 Young Aug. 7, 1945 2,508,090 Beems May 16, 1950 

